A Study to Assess Malnutrition in TMJ Ankylosis Patients

TMJ Ankylosis progressively limits mouth opening to a point where it is impossible to open the mouth even slightly. The disease not only disfigures the face but also produces nutritional deficiency throughout its course, which could lead to malnutrition. The patients affected in TMJ Ankylosis predominantly belong to the growing age group. Malnutrition during these years could have serious implications.

This study aimed to research the impact of TMJ Ankylosis on Height, Weight, and BMI of these patients, to assess malnutrition.

A total of 50 patients of TMJ ankylosis, unilateral or bilateral, with considerably reduced mouth opening, were included in the study group. Age, sex, height, weight, interincisal distance on maximum mouth opening, and duration of reduced mouth opening were recorded. 50 patients of the same age group, reporting for any other dental treatment except TMJ Ankylosis, were included in the control group. The height, weight and BMI of every patient in both the groups, was compared to charts by Indian Academy of Pediatrics, specific for sex and age15. All the patients of the study group were kept on follow-up and their height and weight were recorded after 5 years.

In our study, significant correlation between TMJ Ankylosis and malnutrition was obtained, which highlights a much ignored and less researched aspect of the disease.

TMJ Ankylosis has significant impact on the growth of children. The physical impact manifests as facial asymmetry, disfigurement and malnutrition. Malnutrition can have devastating effects on motor and cognitive development. It has also been recognized to increase mortality. Hence the need for early recognition and intervention to the condition is essential not only to prevent asymmetry and disfigurement, but also malnutrition.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-024-02239-9.